Amusement apparatus



F. R. CHESTER.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 1920.

1,368, 1 1 5. Patented Feb. 8, 1921'.

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FRANK R. CHESTER, OF ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY.

amusnmnnr APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

Application filed March 2, 1920. Serial No. 362,7 1.

I To all whom it may camera:

Be it known that I, FRANK R. CHESTER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Asbury Park in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to amusement apparatus of the racing type and in-which a number of persons participate at the same time.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved amusement apparatus for use in pleasure resorts, exhibition grounds, fairs and other laces of amusement, and arranged to a 0rd the players and the onlookers considerable amusement and to require skill on the part of the players.to successfully play the game in the shortest time.

Another object is to provide a rather unexpected startling effect.

Another object is to provide an amusement apparatus 'which is simple and durable in construction and not liable to get easily out of order. I

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding, parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a sectional perspective view of the amusement apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the balloon holders; and

Fig, 3 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the controlling valve.

The players stand on a suitable floor or other support 10 and range one alongside the other in front of a table 11. Each of the players manipulates a hand wheel 12 secured on the upper end of a vertically disposed crank shaft 13 journaled in suitable bearings 14 and 15 mounted on the floor 10 and the table 11, as plainly shown in Fig. 1. The crank 20 of the crank shaft 13 is connected by a pitman 21 with a plunger 22 mounted to reciprocate in the cylinder 23 The cylinder 23 is connected by a discharge pipe 26 with a holder 28 mounted on a support 30 spaced from the table 11 and sup ported from the floor 10. The holder 28 is shaped to receive the neck of an inflatable toy balloon 31 or similar fragile object adapted to be burst by the air pressure furnished by the air pump by way of the pipe 26 on actuating the air pump by a player turning the corresponding hand wheel 12.

In order to render it uncertain for a. player to burst the toy balloon 31in a' short time on correspondingly turning the hand bearing 44 provided with sleeves 45 mounted to slide on vertical guide rods 46 attached to the valve body 40. Set screws 47 or other suitable means, serve to fasten the sleeves 45 in place on the guide rods 46.

spring 50 is coiled on the stem 43 and is interposed between the bearing 44 and the mlye 42 to hold the latter normally to its seat 41. The upper end of thestem 43 is provided with a friction roller resting n top of a disk 61 having a central collar 62 mounted to slide up and down on the crank shaft 13 and forming part of a centrifugal governor 63 of usual construction and rotating with the shaft 13. It will be noticed that when the shaft 13 is rotated beyond a normal speed then the govern0r 63 moves the disk 61 upwardly and iri doing so a corresponding upward movement is given to the stem 43 and the valve 42 to move the latter off, its seat 41 and thus allow a portion of the air passing through the pipe 26 to escape to the atmosphere. Thus if the hand wheel 12 is turned at an excessive rate of speed, the valve 42 is fully opened thereby allowing practically all the air to escape from the pipe 26 and hence deflating the toy balloon 31 instead of inflating it.

In playing the game the players turn the hand wheels 12 with a view to force air into the deflated toy balloons 31 with a view to inflate the same. By introducing the uncertain element, that is, the valve 42, the several toy balloons 31 are more or less inflated according to the speed at which the hand wheels 12 are turned. and. as previously explained, if a hand wheel 12 is turned at a est time is the Winner.

high rate oi speed then the toy balloon Si is liable to become deflated instead, of iniiat ed. It is understood that the player who is able to burst the toy balloon 81 in the short- It is evident that the playing of the apparatus affords considerable amusement to the players as Well as to the onlookers and a startling eiiect is provided on the bursting of the balloon.

It will also be noticed that as the toy balloons 31 are of varying strength in texture, one that 1s weaker is liable to burst quicker with the same air pressure than one that is of stronger texture. Thus another element of uncertainty besides that of the valve 42 is introduced to enliven the interest.

The table 11 is preferably spaced from the support 3.0 to accommodate an attendant between the two, and the support 30 is preferably inclined and is ornamented with a scenic effect to enhance the appearance of the game apparatus. The front of the support 30 is preferably provided with footlights 70 to illuminate the toy balloons and the scene in the night.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A11 amusement apparatus, comprising a hollow fragile object adapted to be demolished by the action of fluid pressure, a fluid pressure generating means having a'handoperated member and arranged to generate fluid pressure for demolishing the said object, and controlling means controlled by the said handbperated member and controlling the generated iiuid pressure.

2. An amusement apparatus, comprising a hollow fragile object adapted to be burst by fluid pressure from within, fluid pressure supply means connected with the interior of the said hollow fragile object, a hand-operated member connected with the said fluid pressure supply means to generate fluid pressure, and automatic controlling means actuated from the said hand-operated mem her and controlling the flow of the iiuid pressure from the said lluid pressure supply means to the said hollow fragile object.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising a pluralityof fragile. objects, pneumatic means for demolishing the said fragile objects, a series of actuating devices controlled by the players and each connected with and actuating a corresponding pneumatic means to cause the latter to demolish a correspond ing object with which it is connected, a valve for each pneumatic means, and a governor for each valve and controlled by the corresponding actuating device to control the demolishing efiect oi the corresponding pneumatic means on the corresponding fragile object. I v

t. An amusement apparatus, comprising a series of holders, fragile objects attached to the said holders and in communication with the same, anair pump connected with each holder to pump air through the holder into the fragile object, a valve controlling the flow of air from the air pump to the corresponding holder and object, actuating devices connected with the said pump and each under the control of a player, and governors each controlled by a corresponding actuating device and controlling the corresponding valve.

5. An amusement apparatus, comprising a series of holders, fragile objects attached to the said holders and in communication with the same, an air pump connected with each holder to pump air through the holder into the i' agile object, a valve controlling the flow of air from the air-pump to the corresponding holder and object, a crankshaft provided with means for turning it and having its crank connected with said pump to actuate the latter, a governor controlled by said crank shaft, and a connecting device connected with the said valve and controlled by the said governor.

6. An amusement apparatus, comprising a hollow fragile object adapted to be burst by fluid pressure from within, an air pump, a pipe connection connecting the said air pump with the interior of the said object, a hand-operated member for actuating the said air pump, and a governing do vice controlled by the said hand-operated member and controlling the flow of the compressed air from the air pump into the said object.

FRANK R. CHESTER. 

